Souvenir novelty



July 15, 1941. J. REUTER SOUVENIR NOVELTY Filed July 3, 1940 INVENTOR JOHN Rec/r51? BY I. I

ATTORNEY Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED ISTATESPATENT orslcs Application July 3, 1940, Serial No. 343,688

4 Claims. (Cl. 40-126) This invention relates to souvenir novelties in general and mor especially to souvenir novelties comprising a decorative reproduction of a heavy metal symbol or the like such as the popular Key to the city.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved light weight souvenir novelty comprising a decorative reproduction of a heavy metal symbol or the like such as the popular Key to the city which can be readily, forwarded in the mail at a minimum franking price.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved light weight souvenir novelty comprising a decorative reproduction of a heavy metal symbol or the like such as the popular Key to the city characterized by a light weight sheet conformed to the outer decorative contour of the symbol desired to be' reproduced, with the edges thereof terminatingin a plane to facilitate suspending the souvenir flat against a wall or on a supporting surface such as a desk, tabl or the like.

-It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved souvenir novelty comprising a reproduction of a heavy symbol or the like such as the symbolic Key to the city heretofore generally composed of solid metal such as cast metal or the like, but characterized in the present instance as composed of alight weight sheet such as tin, conformed to th skin or outer contour of the symbol desired to be reproduced, with the rear edges of the contour forming sheet terminating in a plane and forming a hollow body to accommodate a light weight filler or the like if desired, similarly with a rear plane surface to facilitate suspending the sou- Venir with the rear plane sur'face'fflat against a wall or rear plane surface flatagainst the supporting surface of a desk,- tableor'the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved souvenir novelty or the like heretofore generally composed of a solid metal, such as cast metal or the like, but characterized in the present instance as composed of' a light weight sheet such as tin, varying-between twenty-two and twenty-five points,'confo'rmedto' the skin or outer contour of the symbol desired to be reproduced, with the rear edgesof the'contour forming sheet terminating in a plane and forming a hollow body to accommodate a light weight filler or the like if desired with a rear plane surface to constitute a proper finish,'and cooperating with the rear edges to constitute a-guard for the fingers f theuser against injury from the sharp rear edges of the contour forming sheet, and serving in addition to facilitate suspending the souvenir with the rear plane surfac of the filler flat against a Wall or the rear plane surface flat against the supporting surface of a desk, ta-

" ble or the like, the contour sheet being rigid enough and yet suiiiciently yieldable to facilitate manipulating the same to cooperate with, and secure to the sheet, attachable elements such as a filler, advertising material, picture and photograph supporting metal sheets, decorative stones, glass articles, thermometers and the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved souvenir key heretofore generally composed of a solid metal such as cast metal or the like, but characterized in the present instance as composed of a light weight sheet conformed to the skin or outer contour of the key desired to be reproduced, with therear edges of the contour forming sheet terminating in a plane forming a hollow body, to facilitate suspending the souvenir key with the rear edges flat against a wall or on a supporting surface such as a desk, table or the like, the contour forming sheet or shell being substantially a half of the key reproduced so that it may still cooperate W th a lock if desired, and in addition, due to the rear edges terminating in a plane, facilitate suspending the same flat against a wall as an ornament.

Theseand other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the sub-joined detail description of specific embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a symbol made according to the present invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of theembodiment shown in Fig, 1;

Fig. 4 is arear elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 with the filler removed;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a'section similar to that shown in Fig. 5 of another embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a perspective partly broken away of another embodiment formed without a filler;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-3 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 8 of still another embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 8 of still another embodiment;

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of still another embodiment; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2 --l2 of Fig. 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the souvenir novelty illustrated is shown in the form of a souvenir key, suggestive of the popular Key to the city. Such souvenir keys heretofore have always been composed of some heavy solid substance such as cast metal or the like. Due to the cost of the raw materials used for such former keys, and the cost of mailing the same on account or" the weight thereof, considerable sales resistance was encountered. The present invention has as an object to overcome this sales resistance and to convert this item into a popular low-priced article. To this end, the present invention has as an aim to form the shell I of some cheap inexpensive light-weight material such as tin of twenty-two to twenty-five points, or some other like sheet material such as Celluloid, cellulose acetate, phenol plastic, Bakelite, or the like. Preferably, on account of its rigid and yet readily moldable characteristic, and in addition, the facility of producing a glistening, lustrous metallic surface therewith, tin or the like inexpensive light weight metal is preferred.

The shell I is preferably die stamped to represent the half reproduction. With one face thereof, of a normal solid article such as a key. The shell I in the present instance has a bow or head 2 having the five projections 3 and the central opening 4, a stem or shank 5 having a flattened portion 5, the bit 1 extending from the flattened portion 6, and the tapering extremity or pin 8. This shell I terminates throughout its entire periphery in a flange orborder 9 that approaches the vertical, which in full size approximates seven and one-half inches in length from the top of the head or bow 21, to the end of the pin 8, three-sixteenths of an inch in depth for the head 2 and flattened portion 6, and varies from four-sixteenths to five-sixteenths of an inch for the neck portion l8 and pin portion 8 according to the design used.

Excellent results have been achieved when the metal of the shell I approaches as aforesaid twenty-two to twenty-five points, and is composed of an inexpensive metal alloy or tin. The depth of the flange 9 is predetermined according to the composition of the filler II, if any, to be used. When the filler II is composed of a light weight substance such as cardboard approximately one-eight of an inch in thickness, then the depth of the flange 9 for the dimensions given should correspond and approach one-eighth of an inch.

To obtain the best results, the filler II must conform precisely, that is, have a precision fit in the shell I. For this purpose, the filler I I is generally moistened, if composed of cardboard and slightly oversized, and squeezed into place in the shell I while still moist and then allowed to dry. On the other hand, if the flller II is composed of a plastic mass such as cellulose acetate or the like, such filler similarly may be introduced while still in a moldable state and before having been finally dried and hardened. When the shell I and. the filler II have such a precision fit with one another, an independent adhesive means is ordinarily not required to maintain the same in fixed relation to one another. Obviously, and especially if such precision fit is not obtained, a suitable adhesive may be added to the opposing face of the shell I and filler II as a further insurance for maintaining the two in fixed relation to one another. The free or rear edge of the flange or border 9 preferably terminates in a plane and the rear face I2 of the filler II is formed in a plane so that the souvenir key may either be suspended with the free edge of its flange 9 and/or rear face of the filler II flat against the supporting wall, or else rest with the free edge of its flange 9 and/or the rear face of its filler II, flat against the supporting surface of a table, desk or the like.

So that the souvenir key may be suspended from a supporting pin or a wall, an opening I3 is provided in the shell registering with the opening I4 in the filler II.

The shell I, with or without the flller II, may

serve as the support for various devices such as advertising material, thermometers, identification cards, decorative elements, and the like. In the present instance, there is shown as secured to the inner peripheral edge of the head 2, registering with the opening 4, a metal, circular, bowed plate I5 which has formed thereon a pictorial representation of a part of the New YorkWVorlds Fair. This plate I5 has an annular flange I6 disposed in a plane extending from the annular shoulder I? of the plate I5. The means for securing the plate I5 to the head 2 nowto be described is of particular importance in the interest of the low cost of production. This flange I6 is disposed below the annular flange I8 adjacent the opening 4, and when a filler is used, between the filler II of the flange I8 as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to anchor the plate I5 against movement in the head 2, in the interest of maintaining the picture upright at all times, the metal of the head '2 in the corners between the extensions 3is depressed to form the pimples or projections I9, see Fig. 5, such projections I9 being formed immediately to the rear of the plate I5 with the flange I6 snugly engaging the flange I8, see Fig. 5, precision fit again being required. In some instances, as shown in Fig. 6, instead of the projections I9, the metal of the head 2 maybe ruptured to form the small lips 29 to engage the rear face of the flange I6. In order to secure a thermometer to the shell I, there is provided in the present instance in the shoulders 2I and 22 at the end of the plane surfaceof the flattened portion 6, two slits 23 and 24 in alinement with one another to receive the graduated light weight cardboard strip 25 which has printed thereon the usual graduations of a thermometer. This cardboard 25 has, in the present instance, secured thereto the glass tube 26 containing the expansible temperature recording liquid in the usual way by means of the light weight metal clips 21 and 28.

When desired, the rear plane face of the filler II may have adhesively secured thereto a paper covering sheet 29. I

In the embodiment shown in Fig. '7, the souvenir key there illustrated is composed of a shell 30 made similar to the shell I of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 except that the stem 3I is half round throughout, as shown in Fig. 8. Consequently, the shell 30 without any filler, may be used to cooperate with a lock since obviously it would operate a look just the same as a solid key so long as the diameter of the stem 3| corresponded to the diameter of the corresponding solid key and the bit 32 were conformed accordingly. The bow or head 33 of the embodiment shown in Fig. '7 also differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in that the face 34 is integral with the extensions 35 and therefore if advertising matter or the like is to be attached to the bow 33, it would preferably be adhesively secured to the outer face 34 of the head 33.

Figs. 9 and 10 as aforesaid, are merely illustrative of sections taken on the line 8-8 of shells formed into keys similar to the shell but having a cross section as indicated in Fig. 9 as less than half round, and as illustrated in Fig. 10, as substantially rectangular. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown a shell 36 similar to the shell 30 illustrated in Fig. 7 but provided with a filler 37 see Fig. 12, also preferably composed of a light weight material such as cardboard and which cooperates with depressions 38, 39 formed in the head 49 of the shell 36 and with the depressions ll and 42 formed in the stem 43 of the shell 36. These depressions, see the depressions i2 and Al of Fig. 12, extend into the filler 37 to anchor the same in place.

It has been found that when the souvenir novelty such as the key illustrated in Fig. l is approximately seven and one-half inches in length, three-sixteenths of an inch in depth for the head 2 and flattened portion 6, and varies from foursixteenths to five-sixteenths of an inch for the neck portion l0 and pin portion 8, and the filler II does not exceed one-eighth of an inch, and the shell is composed of a light weight inexpensive alloy or tin of twenty-two to twenty-five points, and the filler is composed of an inexpensive material such as cardboard or the like, the key without the enclosing carton for mailing, weighs approximately two ounces, and with an enclosing carton weighs three ounces, so that it may be forwarded through the mail third class with a franking expense of three cents, as compared to fifteen cents or more when the keys as heretofore generally made are solid and weigh between eight ounces and one pound.

It will also appear from the foregoing that the shell I, see Fig. 1, approximates the full half of the article to be reproduced, with the rear face approximately a full diameter of the article to be reproduced, and the shell itself a contour outline in relief of the key reproduced.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the article without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A souvenir novelty comprising a relatively fiat body one side of which is composed of an embossed shell composed of an inexpensive light weight sheet metal between twenty-two to twenty-five points conformed to the outer contour in relief of one side of a normally solid symbol with the edge of the shell consisting of a flange which terminates in a plane to facilitate suspending thenoveltywith the edge fiat against a supporting wall or surface, and an inexpensive light weight filler composed of cardboard or the like lightweight material in said shell partlyfilling said shell but remote from the inner face of the embossed shell, having a precision fit at its edge with the inner face of the flange of said shell and having a plane outer face in the plane of the free edge of said shell.

flat body one side of which is composed of an embossed shell composed of an inexpensive light weight sheet conformed to the outer contour in relief of one side of a normally solid souvenir novelty with the edge of the shell consisting of a flange which terminates in a plane and to facilitate suspending the novelty with the edge flat against a supporting wall or surface, an inexpensive light weight filler composed of cardboard or the like in said shell, partly filling said shell but remote from the inner face of the embossed surface of said shell, having a precision fit at its edge with the inner face of the fiange of said shell and having a plane outer face in the plane of the free edge of said shell, and a finishing paper adhesively secured to the outer plane face of said filler and the finishing paper effectively covering the otherwise sharp free edge of said shell to protect the user from injury and effectively bonding the shell and filler to one another.

3. A souvenir novelty comprising a flat body one side of which is composed of an embossed shell composed of an inexpensive light weight sheet conformed to the outer contour in relief of one side of a normally solid souvenir novelty with the edge of the shell consisting of a flange which terminates in a plane to facilitate suspending the novelty with the edge fiat against a supporting wall or surface, and an inexpensive light weight filler composed of cardboard or the like in said shell, partly filling said shell but remote from the inner face of the embossed surface of the shell, having a precision fit at its edge with the inner face of the flange of said ing a head, there being openings in the upper end of the head and in said filler registering with one'another to receive a supporting pin or the like.

- 4. A souvenir novelty comprising a relatively flat body one side of which is composed of an,

embossed shell composed of an inexpensive light weight sheet metal such as tin or the like, between twenty-two to twenty-five points, conformed to the outer contour in relief of one side of a normally solid souvenir novelty with the edge of the shell consisting of a flange which terminates in a plane to facilitate suspending the novelty with the edge fiat against a supporting wall or surface, and an inexpensive light weight filler composed of cardboard or the like in said shell, partly filling said shell butremote from the inner face of the embossed part of the shell, having a precision fit at its edge with the inner face of the flange of said shell and having a plane outer face in the plane of the free edge of said shell, the total weight of the shell and filler according to the size adopted being proportionate to a key approximating seven and one-half inches in length, averaging onequarter of an inch in depth, with a filler of oneelghth of an inch in thickness, having a combined weight not exceeding two ounces.

JOHN REU'I'ER.

2. A souvenir novelty comprising a relatively 

